It’s been quite a year so far.
We’ve had the earliest Iowa Caucus and the earliest New Hampshire primary in modern history, two states punished for moving their primaries before Super Tuesday, the closest thing to a national primary we’ve ever had, a regional primary in Metro D.C. that actually counted for something, discussions about re-votes in Florida and Michigan, and it’s all ended in a race that cannot be resolved based on pledged delegates alone.
Now, Puerto Rico has decided to get in on the fun by jumping a week ahead in the calendar and changing from a caucus to a primary:
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Seizing on a rare opportunity to influence U.S. politics, Puerto Rico’s Democratic Party has chosen to hold a presidential primary instead of a caucus to encourage more islanders to participate in the June 1 contest, an official said Friday.
Roberto Prats, party chairman in the U.S. territory, said the switch approved Thursday by the central committee will put pressure on Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama to campaign in the Caribbean island.
With 55 delegate votes at stake, Puerto Rico will hold one of the last primaries — followed only by Montana and South Dakota — and could play an influential role in a tight race.
”If Puerto Rico is going to play such a significant role, we should give the world a showcase of democracy,” Prats said. ”We know how to vote, we vote in masses and I think it’s Puerto Rico’s show time.”
Should make for an interesting spring.
March 8th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2008/2/6/puerto-rican-poll-power.html
(U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT article about PR PRIMARY )
Will Puerto Rico really be able to decide everything as suggested by U.S. News and World Report’s Michael Barone ?????
Are the 55 delegates going to be chosen on an all-or-nothing basis thus making Puerto Rians the biggest swing voter population in the United States ?
Michael Barone of U.S. News & World Report aparently suggest these are all strong possibilities, right?
GOOGLE: BARONE PUERTO RICO
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2008/2/6/puerto-rican-poll-power.html
March 8th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2008/2/6/puerto-rican-poll-power.html
(U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT article about PR PRIMARY )
Will Puerto Rico really be able to decide everything as suggested by U.S. News and World Report’s Michael Barone ?????
Are the 55 delegates going to be chosen on an all-or-nothing basis thus making Puerto Rians the biggest swing voter population in the United States ?
Michael Barone of U.S. News & World Report aparently suggest these are all strong possibilities, right?
GOOGLE: BARONE PUERTO RICO
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2008/2/6/puerto-rican-poll-power.html
Have you read this already ?